The Authorized Bible⤒🔗

We have rapidly travelled over a long tract of history, and now we come within sight of the journey's end. The Genevan and the Bishops' Bibles may belong to a day that is past, and to a stage that we have left long behind; but the authorized Ver­sion is with us still, our friend and companion in the living present.

Hampton Court Conference←⤒🔗

Scarcely had James I succeeded to the throne when the Puritan party laid their grievances and wants before him. Though he had no real sympathy with them, yet he promised to give their complaints due consideration. He decided there should be a discussion upon the points at issue between them and the Church party. Representatives on both sides were chosen and the pedantic monarch re­served to himself the right of presiding at the debates and laying down the law. So, in the year 1604, this assembly was brought together which, from its place of meeting, has been called the Hampton Court Conference. During the progress of this conference one of the debaters let fall the idea that there ought to be a new and thorough revision of the English Bible. This idea laid hold upon the King's mind. He was scholar enough to know that the work was needed, and that there were men in his kingdom capable of doing it. He felt a strong dislike to the notes of the Genevan Version, especial­ly any that seemed to reflect adversely upon his cherished doctrine of the "Divine Right" of kings. He would be pleased if a Bible could be provided for the people, perfectly free from any such dangerous comments. By no means deficient in personal vanity, he was not unwilling that his own name should be associated with a lasting achievement of learning and piety. Under these circumstances the royal mind was soon made up; the decision was quickly taken: a new version must be attempted and carried through.

The Authorized Version←⤒🔗

But, while we note the human influences at work in the matter, we do well, above all, to mark the overruling providence of God. The Genevan, so well suited to its own age, could not have continued to be the English Bible. One was needed which would be a bond of union between the Protestant denominations and speak the language of the coming generations. It should be a faithful rendering of the originals, free from sectarian commentaries, and expressed in such pure and noble English as would never become obsolete. It should be the result of learning without over emphasis, and of piety without hypocrisy. It should carefully preserve what was best in the labours of former translators and revisers, while fearlessly correcting their errors and defects. It should enshrine the brilliant diamonds of Tyndale and the choice gems of Coverdale in an indelible setting. It should manifest the simple integrity of its authors and their single-minded desire to do honour to the Word of God.

And we must never forget that, just When this was wanted, exactly at the right time, the Lord provided the opportunity and raised up the instruments for accomplishing this glorious work.

There were great scholars in the land at that time, such as Reynolds, Andyews, Milers. Smith, aired a number of others hardly less celebrated. They had the Hebrew and Greek originals, as well as hosts of versions and commentaries, which they, could press into their service. They were humble enough to use every available help and, at the same time, learned enough not to be slavishly dependent upon any. They believed in thorough-going, painstaking work, and were never unduly impatient to reach the end of their task. They were never too proud or too lazy to bring any part of it again to the anvil upon which they had hammered it, if so be they might correct an error, or effect an improvement. They met together under royal favour and protection without dread of interruption or persecution. Instead of being tried by the depression and disadvantages of exile they were hospitably received in the chief city of the kingdom and in its time-honoured seats of learning. But better than all this, they were men of prayer, they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and He graciously supplied them with the needful wisdom, patience, and power of language. To quote from the preface which describes their labours and their methods: "They trusted in Him that hath the key of David, opening and no man shutting; they prayed to the Lord, O let thy Scriptures be my pure delight; let me not be de­ceived in them; neither let me deceive by them."

Of the forty-seven men who were actually engaged upon this work, fifteen met at Oxford, fifteen at Cambridge, and seventeen at Westminster. Their method of working was as follows. One member would take a chapter, make it his special study, and write out all the changes which he recommended. At the next meeting of his company he would read out his recommendations while the other members, with originals and versions open before them, would listen attentively. If any objection was raised to his suggestions, then a discussion ensued, and what appeared best to all the members was taken; if not, then those suggestions were allowed to remains as the unanimous opinion of the whole company. However, the approval of the other companies would be necessary, and of a joint committee taken from them all, before the proposed alterations were finally adopted. Miles Smith was chosen to examine the proofs and see them through the press, and also to write the beautiful preface which, sad to say, is not now printed in our Bibles.

Their great work was brought to a successful conclusion in the year 1611. Then the Authorized Version was published, and it has ever since been known as the English Bible.

The Revised Version←⤒🔗

Some of the ablest scholars of Great Britain and America made a revision of this version in comparatively recent times. The work was done with great care and thoroughness, and in some ways it is very useful to students of the Word; but this Revised Version has not as yet taken the place of the Authorized, and it is very doubtful if it ever will.

The older book, with all its hallowed memories and associations, still remains "the Bible" of the English people.

Come ye children, come and hearken
To the great things God hath done;
Let no dreary doubting darken
Light more radiant than the sun;
Where it shineth
Souls are blest and freedom won.
Hearken how to prophets olden
Truth was given to record,
How apostles wrote the golden
Message at their Master's word,
Both uniting
To proclaim "Thus saith the Lord."
Hearken how by priestcraft hidden,
Or assailed by infidel,
Glorious truth, when God had bidden
Crush'd each foe and broke each spell;
Oh! what triumphs
Of the Bible we can tell!
Children, love the sacred pages
Which eternal Love display,
Heritage of all the ages
It is yours to hold today:
Hold it bravely,
Let none take your crown away.
Send it forth to every nation,
On and on, from sea to sea;
Till men know the great salvation,
Till in Christ their souls are free,
And the glory
His for evermore shall be.